by Josiah Egbilika
The Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) paid a consultative visit to Rivers State Ministry of Health in Port Harcourt.
The visit was to seek for collaboration and support towards CEHRD’s “Strengthening the implementation of Rivers State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (2020)” project.
Explaining the project, the Project Lead, Mr. Josiah Egbilika reviewed that the aim of the project is to galvanize State Ministries including the Ministry of Health Rivers State to produce an holistic framework that will guide the implementation of VAPP Law in the State.
He explained that the project seeks to strengthen collaborative efforts from the community to State institutions in a bid to reduce the violence against persons especially women and girls in Rivers State.
Speaking during the visit, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu appreciated CEHRD for thinking along the line of fighting gender based violence in the State.
Dr. Wachukwu emphasized that the Ministry does not pay deaf ears to issues of rape, defilement and any form of GBV, noting that the Ministry has and is still working towards reducing the menace.
The Acting Permanent Secretary stated that the Ministry will give all forms of support needed for the initiative to succeed.
As a commitment effort, the Acting Permanent Secretary appointed the Gender Based Desk Officer in the Ministry to work closely with CEHRD and reports directly to him, while urging her to ensure every support needed from the Ministry is given.
On her part,The Head of Human Rights and Governance, Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD) Miss Queen Agba, appreciated the Ministry for their commitment while noting that the collaboration will enhance efforts towards reducing GBV in Rivers State.
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